Key Points

• In the Hauts-de-France region, during the period from February 1 to February 7, 2021, with nearly 13,300 new cases diagnosed in week 5, the number of new cases was rising to a very high level. While the spread of the epidemic has slowed in the region, as in France, SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate at a very high level amid an increase in the prevalence of variants—which are under enhanced surveillance—circulating in the community. The intense cold snap affecting the Hauts-de-France region this week could be a factor exacerbating the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, as is the case for all respiratory viruses.

• At the subregional level, a geographical spread of SARS-CoV-2 transmission is observed across many areas, particularly in the departments of Nord, Pas-de-Calais, and Somme.

• Pressure on healthcare resources stabilized at a high level in Week 5, but the number of people hospitalized for COVID-19 in the region remains very high, and the occupancy rate of hospital beds by COVID-19 patients remains high in the region’s general wards, intensive care units, and long-term care units. The number of new deaths among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 has remained very high for several weeks and increased in the Pas-de-Calais and Somme departments in Week 5. A significant excess mortality (between 20% and 30% depending on the week), from all causes, has been observed at the regional level since late October and particularly affects the elderly.